entrelacer
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
We met near the WWI memorial. Her family name was engraved into the sad stone tribute. Read on, in today's story column.
From French Word-A-Day: don't miss this blog, for nearly 800 posts, words and stories.
entrelacer (ontr-lah-say) verb
to interlace, intertwine
Sound File & Example Sentence
Listen to my daughter, Jackie, pronounce these French words:
Download Entrelacer
On a marché, mon amie et moi, les bras entrelacés en amitié.
We walked, my friend and I, arms interlaced in friendship.
A Day in a French Life...
by Kristin Espinasse
Angels abound around every corner and if you are lucky you will meet them when you walk in love--my momma always showed me--with grace in your gait....
.
It's as easy as this: One minute you are pulling into the parking lot of an unfamiliar town--smoothing your hair... toning down your stars and stripes appearance, so as to fit in, hopefully, as a Frenchwoman--
.
and the next minute you are walking, arm in arm, with a stranger twice your age, chatting like old friends, of bygone days.
(...In the French town of St-Maurice Sur Eygues...)
"You haven't aged a bit!" Madame assures me. I look over to the elderly woman whose delicate arm is laced through my own. I notice how the sun sets off her silver curls. Looking into her pupils, time is erased. We walk on, this time as two venturesome girls.
.
We had picked each other up halfway down the street, just past the old, stone lavoir* where, unbeknownst to me, another chance meeting was about to take place, some fifteen minutes into the future, in between meeting Madame, and taking photos of an old Chateau up on the hill...
.
Presently, I studied Madame. I noticed she'd put on a jewel-toned scarf, noticed how it clashed, disarmingly, with her faded house-dress. Now this was a woman with whom I could unpack my heart.
.
"And so we meet again!" the woman exclaimed, cheerfully. Indeed we had met some ten minutes earlier, for the first time, after I had set out from le parking* to shoot the village. Shoot it not as it was shot at in WWI; I hoped only to capture its "colorful façade," not its people, not against their will.
.
It was not far from a WWI monument that Madame struck up the first of our two conversations. That is when I had explained that I was taking photos of the village, to share with others who love France, as I do. Madame smiled and there began our exchange: we talked about politics, architecture, the mundane ménage* that never goes away, but gets harder day, by aging day. We chatted, ditching traffic now and then (occasionally, a car would drive up or down the country lane, causing me to pull Madame forward, or to push her gently aside, depending. But Madame ignored the danger, content, instead, to focus on the rewarding risk of talking to a stranger).
.
"And so we meet again," Madame was now saying.
"Oh... yes," I answered, afraid of making Madame feel obligated. It seemed she was now on her way somewhere--what with that pretty dress-up scarf--and I didn't want to hold her back.
.
"Yes," I repeated. "I'm just taking a few more photos. I have to go and get my daughter now...
"Daughter? You have children?"
"Yes, an eleven- and a fourteen-year-old. Une fille et un garçon."*
"Oh, said, Madame, and that is when she flattered me:
.
"You certainly don't look old enough!"
"I am 41."
"Ce n'est pas vrai!"*
.
I was embarrassed by the first fruits of flattery: red cheeks, warm heart. If I didn't stop Madame now, I might be tempted to listen, un-haltingly. I reveled for a little instant longer (and what a delight and change this was from having one's age over-guessed, not that I have ever once asked to be judged -- but that does not stop others from offering, from accidentally tacking on "time" to a growing collection of facial lines).
.
"Et vous, Madame... Quel age avez-vous?"* Again, it is a question I don't dare ask (so as not to be asked) les dames d'un certain âge*... but this dame was different. This dame was divine and the heavens were whispering to me to inquire.
.
"Quatre-vingt quatre,"* Madame replied.
"You don't say!"
.
And on we walked and talked, helping each other along, now light on our feet: Madame on my arm, my own beneath hers, l'entrelacement des âmes et des dames.*
***
Post note: I gave Madame my calling card, with my web address, but I'm not sure she has internet. I also began to doubt that she has traveled beyond the Drôme... for when I named my home town (not ten miles from her own) Madame looked at me quizzically, as if I had just answered "Sicily". I realized then, that I was in the privileged presence of the venerable past... where people were content to know their neighbors, without the nagging, nefast need.. for newness.
***
Then again... given Madame's curious and energetic disposition, who's to say she's not penning her own blog post, at this very instant? In which case, I hope she is having as much fun in the recounting of this tranche de vie* as I have had writing my version of our story. Merci, Madame.
.
Comments, corrections--and stories of your own--are always welcome and appreciated in the comments box.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~French Vocabulary~~~~~~~~~~
le lavoir (m) = washing place; le parking (m) = car park; le ménage (m) = housework; une fille et un garçon = a girl and a boy; quatre-vingt-quatre = eighty-four; Et vous, Madame. Quel âge avez-vous; ce n'est pas vrai = And you, Madame. How old are you? It isn't true; les dames d'un certain âge = women "of a certain age"; l'entrelacement (m) des âmes et des dames = the intertwining of women and souls; une tranche de vie = slice of life
***
Keep up your French with Bien Dire (magazine subscription). A 52-page magazine to improve your French! Full of interesting articles on France and French culture: order here.
More photos of St-Maurice--and beyond--in the upcoming editions of Cinéma Vérité: your gift when you commit to a contributing membership at French Word-A-Day. Thank you for helping me to continue to produce and distribute this seven-year-old journal -- and to share these pictures and stories.
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
Ways to contribute:
1.Zelle®, The best way to donate and there are no transaction fees. Zelle to [email protected]
2.Paypal or credit card
Or purchase my book for a friend and so help them discover this free weekly journal.
For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Kristin, you have much poetry in your writing. Today, I particularly liked the sentence, "Looking into her pupils, time is erased." It is so true. On our less critical days, I believe that is how we see ourselves. And it is how we always see those we love.
Many years ago, when I lived in Paris, my French maman and I walked everywhere arm in arm. She initiated it whenever we were in the street, and I loved it.
Posted by: Susie | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Kristin--
Having just come off of a trip to Switzerland, I loved today's post all the more. Your post reminded me of the two women whose whose paths I crossed in the Alpine village of Täsch, first on the street and then in the local cemetary. I was a tourist trying not to seem the part, and I nodded at them with a small quiet smile when I passed by them at the gravesites. When they returned the gesture, I knew I was blessed and privledged to be allowed to intrude on their corner of the world. This small but quiet exchange remains one of my favorite memories of my trip.
Posted by: Leslie | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I thoroughly enjoy how much the simple things mean to you.
I hope I am not flattering myself..but I hope I am the same way.
An encounter like that one..makes my day.
PS..You do look so very young:) You wave wonderful genes..your maman is tellement belle also:)
Posted by: Monique | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 02:15 PM
My Darling Kristi,
I wanted to shout with joy when I read your post this morning. You are finally going to step out from behind your keyboard and camera and embrace the wonderful and exciting world of meeting strangers. I have encouraged you over and over to do this, because I knew once you tasted of the joy and love of this experience you would become addicted to this wonderful form of love. You now have this beautiful woman locked into your heart, where you can visit her at anytime, or perhaps you COULD GO BACK and invite her for a visit to the cafe and you continue to embrace thhis new friendship and her lovely village.
Thank you for the line "GRACE IN HER GATE" I am delighted that you would give me this honor.
If only your friends out there really knew how painful and difficult it has been for you the past 30 years to step out and embrace a stranger. You had this gift as a young child, always wandering into strangers lives in your charming way, now thank God you have stepped out into one of the most rewarding journeys life can offer.
I am so proud of you Honey and I will treasure this post.
I LOVE YOU KRISTI - CONTINUE ON THIS PATH!!!
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Another delightful story! Kristin, this is where your talent is its most radiant: when you write from your heart of the people to whom you are drawn and who are drawn to you.
Posted by: Diane | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Love to meet people all the time and everywhere... to intertwine our souls... as if they aren't already intertwined... I guess is just nice to be conscious of it when this happens with strangers.
entrelacer = entrelazar (spanish)
I agree with Monique, you and your mom look très belle!
Besos,
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 03:38 PM
You have done it again -- inspired me; graced my heart & soul. And your mom -- still beautiful to see; an amazing teacher to know.
I am hoping, and again desiring a small feedback, asking if your usage of the word "angel" came to your mind a bit more readily due to having read part two of A Petit Roman. Perhaps it is my way of wanting to figuratively entrelacer les bras avec toi.
Comme toujours!
Posted by: Fred Caswell | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Lovely story, Kristi. You seem to have a knack for meeting and charming people.
Tell me, though, what does 'nefast' mean ("wihthout the nagging, nefast need for newness").
Posted by: avril rustage-johnston | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 04:27 PM
After meeting 'the lady with a camera' for the second time along the streets of her French village, a lively 84-yr-old French lady took the risk of speaking to that complete 'stranger'. Well, there was no real 'risk' involved... and the 'stranger' was ready for a chat too!
The old French lady ended up walking “bras-dessus bras-dessous” (arm in arm) with the smiling stranger -> a young & charming 41 yr old American lady who gave her, at the end of their friendly chat, her calling card … (a little treasure she will proudly keep in a drawer).
Was the friendly & beautiful stranger (who didn't look her age at all!)... was she from..... Si.. ci.. ly... something??
Non non Madame, elle habite à Sainte - Cécile... -les-Vignes... “pas vraiment loin de” (not very far from) your village of St Maurice.
Now, chère Madame, you have thousands and thousands of “mercis” from all of us, “mille & mille mercis” for being there and chatting friendly with Kristin "qui vous a si gentiment donné le bras" (who so kindly linked her arm through yours) while walking through your lovely village.
There was indeed no 'stranger', just two people sharing a smile and then, ready for a chat as if they already knew each other!
Such a friendly scene!
Wonderful!
Posted by: Newforest | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 04:49 PM
faire le ménage = to do housework
The old woman was on her way to collect her great-grandchildren, perhaps?
Life is so different in these small French villages!
Posted by: Intuit | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Cher Fred: Hélas, I have not read part 2 of your petit roman... but I have a RDV to do so tonight :-)
Avril: The word "nefast" popped into my mind on writing that line. I admit, I had to look it up! When I saw the meaning "wicked" behind the word, I knew this adjective would work. The nefast need (am I stretching things a bit?)... or "wicked" need for newness could then be seen as the ultimately unsatisfying search for something newer, fresher, prettier.
The French have a saying, sometimes used ironically (an ex co-worker of mine often used it when a new worker arrived):
"Tout nouveau tout beau!" she would growl.
Posted by: kristin | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Hello again!
Once upon a time, I used to enjoy walking "bras-dessus, bras-dessous" with my wonderful grandmother, adjusting my steps to follow her pace... I did the same with my father when he learned to walk again, after a serious work accident when he was 40, and again, when he became much older. I didn't get the chance to walk that way with my mother who never became 'old' ... but ... I had the joy to feel my daughter's arm going spontaneously under mine, not that long ago, while walking together in a city full of traffic!
Thank you for the verb "entrelacer". I love the graceful noun "entrelacement". The beautiful harmony its meaning implies pleases my soul.
Au revoir & bonne journée!
PS I wonder whether the jewel-toned scarf will appear on Saturday in Cinéma Vérité, among the promised set of photos from St Maurice-sur-Eygues.
Posted by: Newforest | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Kristin . . my kind of story, for sure. How sweet and tender - like walking on a cloud - away from the crowd . . . I believe in Angels, too . . .thanks . . Arnold Hogarth
Posted by: Arnold Hogarth | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Dear Kristin,
What a delightful visit you had with madame! And how delighted must she have been to spend time with you too. Les bras entrelace's so reminds me of highschool at Lycee Jeanne D'Arc. Only now, after 30 years of living in the US it looks strange to me, but at school, we were always entrelacees, the girls, the arms...
And yes, I too would love to see the scarf. I hope you have a picture of Madame.
xoxo
Posted by: Mona | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Newforest: great to learn the expression (and all the expressions you share) for "bras-dessus, bras-dessous" ...now to be able to pronounce it (still can't get "dessus" and "dessous" straightened out. Will have to put more effort into pronunciation). Glad you saw the Sicily / Ste Cécile connection :-)
Also, to Mona: I did not get Madame's photo, but should have simply asked. Better yet, I should have asked the man at the lavoir to take it.
To Mom: (re revisiting these friends) the hardest part is going back. If I do, I'll be sure to ask for Madame's photo! Easier said than done, n'est-ce pas?
Arnold: thank you for your positive words. You are a hard act to follow! :-)
Merci Diane, merci à tous... for responding to my story!
Posted by: kristin | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Kristi Honey - please go back and take the photo, you might have JM print out your story and give it to this wonderful lady - you can translate it for her over coffee.
Please take photo's - have the waiter take a photo of the two of you. Where is your new movie camera, I should have swipped it when I had the chance. If you don't start posting movies here I will definately (sp?) swipe it next time I get the chance.
Also be sure and print out all of the nice comments for her, I love them so and I know she will too.
Have you thought about "minding' your MOM lately???
XOXO
JULES
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 08:30 PM
KRISTI,
Why doesn't my name print in red on your comments page???? I have posted a photo of you over on my blog today..he-he-ha..
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Wonderful Kristin. I don't think anybody has mentioned it, but the Battle of the Somme (WW1 - 1914-1918) began on July 1, 1916. It was one of the largest battles of WW1, and you'll see wreath-laying ceremonies in Commonwealth countries on July 1. The River Somme is in Picardy, northern France. Quite possibily Madame's relative(s) were at this Battle. The Battle of the Somme occurred before the USA declared war on April 1917, so it may not be well known to many Americans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme
I love that view of the fields! July 1 is also Canada Day, so Happy Canada Day to all Canadians! 142 today.
Posted by: Douglas | Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Thanks, Doug, from a Canadian here in rainy SW Ontario on my nation's birthday. And Kristi, what a delicious story today...not to mention my introduction to that very deft and nefarious word 'nefast': LOVE it! Dictionary.com defines it simply as 'wicked'-- lovely as that word has so many varying connotations these days. Hope you and Madame do meet yet again, and that she does get to enjoy your account of her exchange with you. Hope to meet A Jeune Fille like you on my own meanderings!
Posted by: Kitty | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 01:15 AM
Hi Douglas! "Happy Canada day" to you and to all the Canadian readers!
Yes, the Battle of the Somme... Also coming to my mind is Verdun where a long and devastating battle took place between Feb and Dec 1916.
Thanks for mentioning the view of the fields. I had totally missed it! I love the colour & movement in the foreground and the light pinky touch of the sun in the sky!
Posted by: Newforest | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 02:30 AM
Wonderful. This what the French people I know are like too.
Posted by: carol | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 02:40 AM
Wonderful vignette! I recalled, with tears, my own arm on my mother's arm... a 'geste' she shunned in latter years in an effort to prove her (diminishing) independence. How I yearn for another chance to go bras-dessus, bras-dessous with her still. (sniff sniff comme on dit).
On a more mundane plane: when you say "ditching" traffic (trafic en francais!), do you mean "dodging"?
Posted by: JacquelineBrisbane (Oz) | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 04:27 AM
Douglas: Thanks for the link and info on the Battle of the Somme and, Newforest, for the reminder of Verdun.
I guess it's too late to wish some of you "Happy Canada Day"... unless one subscribes to the saying "mieux vaut tard que jamais"? :-)
Jacqueline: merci d'avoir partager ton histoire. And thank you for the word "dodging" -- which I may use in place of the other. I wonder if "ditching" is something we said back home... off to look up the terms in my trusty online dictionary (http://onelook.com/ -- I love this site. Check it out!)
Posted by: kristin | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Would love to see a picture of you and Madame....
Posted by: Sue | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 08:16 PM
LOVE the word "nefast"!! Now I am learning english as well... now what converstion can I drop that one into.... :)
Posted by: Gretel | Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Hi Gretel,
'nefast' --> wicked, bad, (morally) wrong.
I hadn't come across 'nefast' before, but, in reading Kristin's story, I more or less guessed its meaning because of a similar French word I knew (see below).
I don't think the adjective 'nefast' is used in the UK -> never heard of it and didn't find it in my Collins English Dictionary.
Interesting to point the adj.“nefarious”, which means: harmful, villainous, wicked, very negative & undesirable, wretched and also bringing bad luck. It can be used in the context of activities, people, plot, tendencies, influence ...
To me, it sounds as if it means the same as 'nefast'.
The adjective “nefarious” can be translated in French by: malfaisant, ignoble, abominable and also by “néfaste” (the word that came to my mind when I read 'nefast' in the story!...).
I do realise this isn't a straightforward reply to your question, but I hope my little "détour" via 'nefarious" and the French word "néfaste´" was a bit helpful.
Posted by: Newforest | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 01:46 AM
Nefarious, adj.
Latin nefarius, from nefas meaning 'crime'
Posted by: Intuit | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 05:58 PM
St-Maurice Sur Eygues has some fascinating characters and you have quite a knack for finding them!
Posted by: Jennifer in OR | Monday, July 06, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Wonderful stories! I am so glad that I found you the other day!
Your experiences have brought back lots of memories of the years that I lived in France!
Merci!
Jen Borel. Portsmouth.UK
Posted by: Jennifer Borel | Friday, July 10, 2009 at 12:41 PM